Tagxedo.comallows you to enter a URL and automatically generate a word cloud of the text on that site. This is an efficient way for students preview or review a site with a lot of text, or for a class to explore key vocabulary terms they will encounter on the site.

The screenshot to the left is a word cloud Tagxedo created of my website.Try one for your class website and see what pops up!

Looking for an easy, engaging formative assessment tool? Try Plickers - like a clicker system without the expense!

Here's how it works:

1.Go to the website and print out the cards for your class. Each card has a unique barcode - a paper clicker. Each side of the card has a letter A-D. Link each card to a student name, i.e. 1 = Ashley, 2 = Caleb, 3 = Stephen, etc.

2. Using the app on your smartphone or iPad, design a multiple choice question. Choose the best answer A-D. Ask the students the question verbally, display it under a doc cam or on your projector, or write it on a board.

3. Students answer questions by holding up their plickers so that they face the teacher's device. The teacher scans the cards - see the video below.

4. The teacher gets an instant bar graph while scanning and data that shows how each individual student answered the question. Answers are even color-coded green and red for correct/incorrect. You can show the students or keep the results private.

Plickers can be used for assessing students' knowledge but would also be effective for polling their opinions. If students keep their plickers in their desks or folders for class, they can quickly pull them out for an on-the-spot assessment.